QUEBEC SAILING MÉRITES 2009 AWARDS

The Quebec Sailing Federation nominating committee has just announced this year’s selected nominees, and amongst them are several HYC members:

André-Dionne Trophy (Volunteer of the Year) - Roy Folland
To recognize a member who has contributed to the betterment of sailing in Quebec.

Club/Sailing School of the Year - Hudson Yacht Club
To recognize excellence in all programs organized by a club or a sailing school (training, racing, cruising or special event).

"Optimist" Athlete - Justin Vitteqoc
To recognize a Quebec "Optimist" sailor who has demonstrated exceptional results and/or improvements within the last sailing season.

EVERT BASTET Trophy - Lauren Laventure
Must have a record of outstanding achievement in national and/or international competition in the previous twelve months.

Congratulations and good luck to all nominees!

The FVQ's Annual Awards presentation will be held following the Annual General Meeting at the Gala which will take place on October 24th, 2009 at:
École primaire Marguerite Bourgeoys
3, rue Ste-Anne,
Pointe-Claire, Québec, H9S 4P6

For the full listing of the awards and all nominees please consult the FVQ Web site at www.voile.qc.ca

Canadian J/24 Championship

Hudson Yacht Club and its dedicated volunteers hosted the Canadian J/24 Championship, September 17 – 20th, and it was a deemed a huge success by the participants!

Thanks to our many kind sponsors, HYC welcomed sailors from all over Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, with generous hospitality and terrific give-aways! Registration included breakfasts, lunches and a tote bag loaded with tuques, USB keys (to be loaded with regatta photos), duct tape, tools, rope, sunscreen, beer tickets and more!

On Thursday, after a busy day of registration, measurement and launching, the crews were welcomed with a delicious chicken and ribs dinner from Village Churrasco, and lively entertainment by popular local band, The Moonlights. An impromptu performance of French ditties by the BayGull crew capped this very fun evening!

Friday’s racing proved quite challenging for the fleet, as winds increased throughout the day, gusting up to 27 knots by mid-afternoon. Our highly-qualified Race Committee executed four races, while keeping a watchful eye on the hard-working crews. Several boats suffered considerable damage, including Nepean’s Blue J, whose mast broke during an upwind leg. Gorillas in the Mist, from Halifax, suffered a twisted keel after going aground in a valiant effort to assist a Laser sailor in distress, far off the course. Luckily, no one was hurt under these trying conditions, though our very own Hypnautic did lose one man overboard. After several rescue attempts in the choppy waves the young sailor was rescued and was more upset with losing his new regatta tuque than finding himself in the frigid waters! The winner of the first day’s racing was Navtech, from Quebec City, and was presented with the Western District Trophy and a pair of Sperry Topsiders for each crew member! An impromptu Friday evening of go-carting continued to hone the competitive spirit, for those who still had any energy left…

Whereas Friday challenged the body, Saturday racing challenged the brain. Three races were held in light, oscillating, frustrating winds, but lots of sunshine. Drivers Wanted, from Toronto, was the day’s winner, and also won Sperry Topsiders! This was followed by a Saturday evening dinner at the historic Willow Place Inn, where sailors experienced local charm and delicious cuisine.

Sunday’s conditions were perfect with steady winds averaging 10 knots under sunny skies. Two races were held, and so with admirable proficiency the Race Committee’s goal of 9 challenging races was handily met!

Sailors appreciated the tough competition, as 16 boats vied for top finishes. After an exciting weekend of great racing, the first place boat was Drivers Wanted, Port Credit Yacht Club. This top team was also presented with the Gerald Long Memorial Trophy for Top Canadian boat and the Bacardi Cup for the Canadian Championship Winner. Right behind, in second place, was Navtech, Quebec City. In third position was Sticky Fingers from Halifax. Full results can be viewed at: http://www.sail123.com/j242009.htm

Following the prize-giving, a raffle was held for another 20 pair of Sperry Topsiders, or winners could choose from a table laden with gifts from Quantum, Fogh Marine and the Boathouse. Crews were also presented with a package of terrific glossy photos from May’s Studio.

The Committee had made the difficult decision to postpone this June regatta to September, but this turned out to be an excellent move! We had four days of challenging sailing and great weather, with over 75 sailors in attendance (and all quite well-behaved!J)

The Regatta Committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the terrific HYC volunteers and generous sponsors who helped make the Canadian J/24 Championship a great success!!

Marian Kuiper

Fall Sailors Meeting - Wednesday October 21

With the season drawing to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on our sailing activities this year. To help ensure we continue to provide an exciting program for all our members, the Sailing Directors would very much like to have your feedback.

To that end we invite you to join us in the bar at HYC next Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.

Hope to see you all there.

John, Bernard, Marian and Jean-Luc

Book Your Haul Out Appoitments Now!

Although the last day for haul out is Friday, October 30th, it is imperative that you call the Club office to make your appointment BEFORE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH.

We can only haul out 8 boats per day and with the number of days left before October 30th, it will be difficult for us to accommodate all boat owners.

Please call the Club office at 450-458-5326.

Many thanks,

Margaret

Pumpkin Race and Captain's Broom - Saturday October 17

Pumpkin Race

This coming Saturday there will be fun for kids of all ages at HYC.
We will start with the Pumpkin Race in the morning, always a family favorite. This will be a simple race except for catchin' the pumpkins of course.

And no you don't have to build your own boat like our friend above, plus I think this might be a rule 42 infraction, but there are a few twists. Here is the gist of the extra rules...

After starting and before finishing a boat must pick up at least 1 pumpkin by any method provided all crewmembers remain onboard. After the finish bring your catch into the club and enjoy some lunch while the results are calculated. Each boat's corrected time will be adjusted according to their haul of pumpkins and there will be some mystery prizes too.

To help rebuild our strength for the afternoon, there will be a bowl of chilli for lunch prepared for us all by Femke and Jenny. Thanks Girls!

So after a chance to warm up beside the fire and perhaps a crew change you will be ready for the Captain's Broom. What are we doing this year?

Well something fun and a little different of course, and given that we are coming into the Halloween season, a little mysterious too because you'll have to come down and join in to find out what.

For the kids who want to stay ashore during the afternoon we will have some fun and games and a movie for you to watch too.

I hope you can join us for the day with your family, friends and crews. Please let us know of your intention to race by reply or by registering with the Club office.

Pumpkin Race Skippers Meeting - 09:30 Warning Signal - 10:30
Captain's Broom Skippers Meeting - 13:00 Warning Signal - 14:00

Frostbite Series

Even though the season is drawing to a close, quite a number of you have enthusiastically expressed interest in taking advantage of the sailing time left to us.

So following on from the fun many of had this time last year, we will run a Frostbite Series on the next 3 Sundays.

This will be for the pure joy of sailing hopefully in bracing air and strong winds. The race will be run on an honour system, with no race committee. The race will start at 10:30am. There will be a single start on a line between a buoy and the T-pier. Bernard will coordinate the start on the water, so stay close, but not too close, to Sprinbok to hear the sound signals. The course will make use of the SLVYRA marks laid at Quarry Point, Pig Island and Robidoux Island. Each boat will record it’s own finish time.

So, break out those toques, gloves and thermos flask and we'll see you on the water.

Senior Sailing Awards - Friday October 30, 2009

Awards Dinner - Friday October 30th

We are also please to advise you that the date of the Awards Dinnerhas changed to Friday October 30th. This will help those of us with young sailors to share Halloween together as well as celebrate the past season.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Sailors Awards Dinner to congratulate the recipients and remind you to contact the office to reserve your tickets.

Senior Sailors Awards Nominations

There is no better recognition that that of your peers. With this spirit in mind, I invite you to provide nominations for the awards listed below.You should include with your suggestions some insight and justification as to why you feel the individual or group is worthy of the honour.
To assist you in framing your nominations I have included the terms of the deed of gift for each award for your reference. Nominations should be returned to me via e-mail to sailing@hudsonyachtclub.com by October 12th for consideration by the Sailing Directors.

Roberton Bell
To be awarded to the individual or group who best exemplify the true spirit of HYC sailing through competitiveness, integrity, fair play and sportsmanship, or by making an outstanding contribution to the sailing community of Hudson Yacht Club

FVQ Trophy
This trophy shall be presented annually to a member of the Club in recognition of his/her extraordinary contribution to sailing over the past year. Therefore, it may be remitted to a racer, a volunteer, an official, a cruiser, a benefactor, and organizer or any other individual that the Club wishes to honour.

Crew Trophy
This trophy shall be presented annually to an individual or group that through their regular participation within a yacht’s crew have demonstrated their teamwork, dedication, commitment and sportsmanship over the course of the past season.